9 Months to Crochet - Maaike van Koert Book Review

What better gift to give a new mother than something made by hand with love? I know I thoroughly appreciated all the gifts given to me at the births of my daughters, but I especially treasure the handmade ones.

To be completely honest, though, the things that give me the most joy as a mama are the ones I made for my girls with my own two hands. I spent half of my last pregnancy on sick leave, which gave me lots of time to make baby blankets, hats, and sweaters. Today, I want to review a book designed to help the expecting mother prepare the perfectly curated collection just in time for her baby’s arrival.

The Basics

Maaike van Koert wrote 9 Months to Crochet as a new mom herself, and focused on using natural fibers in gender-neutral colors. The projects are designed to be done in chronological order, with simpler patterns, suitable for beginners, in the first trimester, bigger projects in the second trimester, and smaller, more advanced (but instant gratification) projects for the third trimester. There’s also a pictorial guide to stitch techniques at the end.

What I Like

- I’m personally a huge fan of using natural fibers as much as possible, so I adore the designer’s use of cotton and wool in every pattern.

- The designs are classic, allowing your finished items to be passed down through all your babies.

- The book is small enough, and durable enough, to be carted around to doctors’ waiting rooms.

- Anyone can pick up a hook and make something special for baby, no matter their skill level.

Potential Drawbacks

The only drawback I can think of with this book is that, if you’re a very advanced crochet artist, you’ll find the patterns very basic. However, I find the simplicity of the designs adds to their charm.

Conclusion

Overall, I have nothing but good to say about this book. Martingale Press sent me a copy to peruse, and it is a welcome addition to my growing library. I'd love to hear your feedback on it! Find me on Twitter at @CrochetEditor and let me know your thoughts.